Our purpose was to compare the analgesic efficacy of single oral doses of ibuprofen, zomepirac, aspirin, and placebo in severe postepisiotomy pain. One hundred twenty subjects participated in a double-blind, single-dose, parallel-group, 4-hr trial comparing 400 mg ibuprofen, 100 mg zomepirac sodium, 600 mg aspirin, and placebo. For most parameters, including the sum of the pain intensity differences (SPID) and the sum of the hourly pain relief values (TOTAL), which are summary variables, each of the drugs was more effective than placebo. Ibuprofen was more effective than aspirin and zomepirac. Zomepirac and aspirin were equally effective for most of the analgesic variables. There were no adverse effects. Ibuprofen, 400 mg, is an effective oral analgesic and is more effective than 100 mg zomepirac and 600 mg aspirin in most parameters of pain.